Gas-tank.



H. WATSON.

GAS TANK.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 22. 1909.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

WITNESSES HERBERT WATSON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TOCOMPANY, OF WARREN, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF SEARCHLIGHT GAS OHIO.

GAS-TANK.

` Patented Aug. 9', 1,910.

Application filed September 22, 1909. Serial No. 19,058.

ments in Gas-Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of a porous filling for acetyi lene gas tanks is well knownin the art. This filling is commonly embodied in formed asbestos fiberdisks designed to fit closely Within the cylindrical tank. These disksare not solid or rigid clear through, there being simply acrust formedon their sur. faces to hold them in the desired shape, so that nopositive support is provided for the fiber forming the inner or centralportions of the disks. This material is liable to loosen up, shift, orseparate and form voids orv pockets of suoli size as to becomedangerous, it being well recognized that even a small quantity of gascollecting in a pocket or space unobstructed by the threads or liber ofthe filling material is liable to set up such disintegration of theelementsl as to -produce a destructive explosion. T he tendency to formthese objectionable pockets or spaces is especially great in tanks usedon gantomobiles, the constant motion and not infrequentl jarring andjolting tending to cause the filling'to settle or separate and producether objectionable spaces. A further source of danger is the denting orbattering of thetanks. V An 'indentation Will form a like depression inthe filling, and if the indented metal springs back a space or pocketremains in the filling.

The object of the present invention is to so support or sustain thetilling as to render its separation'or settling and the formation ofspaces or voids quite impossible.

A further object is to guard against the formation of such spacesresulting from indenting the tank by causing the filling to adhere toits inner surface, so that if a dent occurs and the metal springs back,the filling 5 with it and no void will time provide 'spaces outside oflbody aswell as therein for confining porous filling material. .`\nd thelatter' is preferably cenicn-ted to all surfaces of the support as Wellas to the interior of the tank, thereby fully sustaining it from alldirections andprevent- 6o ing disj'ilaccment.

ln the accomj'ianying drawings, Figure l is a perspective ot' a fillingsupport constructed in accordancewith the invention, f and Fig. 2 is across section of a tank show-65 ing thc support of Figli thcrein andwith the several spaces defined thereby filled ywith porous material. l`igx 3 is a view similar to Fig "2f, illustrating a. support of modifiedform, and Fig. 4 is a detail of the modificaf- 70 tion of Fig. 3. l

`Referring to the drawings, 2 designates a cylindrical gas tank of usualconstruction, and 3 is porous material packed'therein. This filling mayconsist of asbestos fiber. or asbestos mixed with cotton, or any othernmtcrial that will provide the requisite compact porous mass, permittingfree circulation of thc gas-carrying solvent. f

The filling support may be variously onstructed to so hold up or sustainthe packed material to prevent it from settling, sepa.- rating ordividing and forming pockets orv voids, and at the same time notinterfere with the free circulation of the solvent. A desirableembodimentprovides for bridging or bracing the support against the Wallsot' the cylinder in such manner as to hold it rigid. y i In theadaptation shown in Figs. 1 and 2, 90 the support isconstructed ofstiliened or l formed asbestos or asbestos board,`and consists of acylindrical or'holliow body-portion 4, from which projectl'tthelongitudinal blade-like extensions or wings 5, lpreferably disposedradially, as shown, and of a size to closely fit Within tilecylinder-.or tank 2. This formation provides spaces on the eX- terior ofbody 4. between adjacent wings, and thesespaces, as weil as the interiorof body 4, are packedgvith the fibrous filling, and the body beingformed of asbestos, the solvent may circulateA therethrough as well asthrough the filling.

The loose filling is `cemented to the inner surfaces ofthe tank, asindicated at 6, and

also to all surfaces of the support, as shown at 7 thus still furtherfixingand holdin the filling throughout the entire space o the tank. Andwith the filling thus cemented if 119 l tively support-ing the filling.

the cylinder is dented and the metal springs 4haelt', the 'fillingfollows the metal at such time. YVithout this adherence such indentationof the shell would similarly indentA the lilling, particularly with. thelatter of formed construction as heretofore, thus prothe perforationspermitting tree circulation of the solvent and at the same time posi-Froni the foregoing it Will he seen that the supportniay he constructedof various materials. And while theA preferred shape is hereshown, theinvention is not limited thereto.

The supports may he dealtin as an article of manufacture separately from-the tanks in which they are placed, as Will he understood.

f l claimz' 1. The Combination of a gas tank, porous material fillingthe tank, and means through which liquid may circulate supporting thematerial throughout the tank against. transverse displacement. v

2. The comhiinition ol' a gas tank, porous material fillingthe tank, andslij )j t 1'tiiig means through which liquid may eireulatef extendinglongitudinally ot" the tank and holdingtlio n'iateral agaiilst;transrtn'se die.-

culate therethrough,I the support consisting of a hollow body withextensions thereon en.

,ringing the inner surface oit' the tank, and porous filling in thespaces .inside'and 'outside the support.

7. A s'an article o t manufaeture, a. lling support 'for gas tanksconsisting of a hollow body torined of porous material and having' sideprojections :t'or the purpose described.

S. As an article of manufaeture,a filling support for gas tanksconsisting of a body having a hollow central portion and side projeetions. f

9. As an article Aof manufacture, a .filling support tor k,qas tanksconsisting of a body` having a hollow central portion and sideAprojections disposed longitudinally thereof'.

.In testimony whereof l atiix my signature in presenee of two Witnesses.H ERB lil t'l` W .v\ TSON.

Vfl( nesses:

Jeux t5. SN-renie,

